Nikko

We had travelled to Nikko to view a parade that takes place as part of an autumn festival.

We were beginning to worry that we had missed it, but trudging up a hill we saw these guys walking past.

We hadn't missed it after all!

Upon getting to the top of the street we had been walking up we got to a roped off intersection, where we saw these guys.

And then the crowd of people that was following the parade.

We had basically missed it.

Not pictured: the American woman going "Hey! It is just like the little dragon from Mulan!"

We found some stalls nearby and grabbed a bite to eat.

At which point a voice said "...I'll be with you in a second, but first I have to say Hi to Tim"
and from out of the crowd walked a guy I used to live with at the Halls of Residence in first year Uni. We chatted briefly about what we were up to and then went our separate ways. Small World.

We decided to follow the crowd and see if the parade had gone anywhere. It turns out they'd ensconced themselves in the grounds of a temple and were doing so sort of ceremony.

Peasants get to stare through the gaps in the fence.  

Unless you have super gaijin height. Then you can take photos over the top.

 After the ceremony was finished they came marching back out, so we got to see the parade after all.

Authentic Japanese spearmen

Authentic Japanese spearmen (in unlocked alternate outfit)

Authentic Japanese priest

Authentic Japanese riflemen

Authentic Japanese guys with sticks

Authentic Japanese Samurai

Authentic Japanese Child Soldiers

Authentic Japanese spearmen 

Authentic Japanese priests (with pole bell)

Authentic Japanese swordsmen

Authentic Japanese war drummer

Authentic Japanese Pirate (with wooden parrot)

Authentic Japanese picnic table seat

Authentic Japanese parade administrators
(the guys in pale blue were interspersed evenly along the whole thing)

Authentic Japanese chariot

Authentic Japanese important guy on a horse, er, general.

The Shinto priests residing over the ceremonies are quite old,
so they transport them between temples in this working replica of a
14th century Daihatsu Handivan.

The shrine to the toilet gods.
(This, some public toilets, and nothing else reside in a small building
 next to a tiny park on the main street of Nikko)

It was a bit cold and misty the day we arrived.

The next day was ridiculously sunny by comparison, so we went temple viewing.

A temple that is being restored. We toured it, but no photos allowed inside.

The temple next door is way less inhibited.